Planning Director from Raleigh, N.C., to Oversee New York City Parks

Mayor Bill de Blasio plans to appoint Mitchell Silver, planning director for the City of Raleigh, N.C., as commissioner of the New York City Department of Parks & Recreation on Friday, a person familiar with the matter said Thursday.

As the new parks commissioner, Mr. Silver will be the steward of 29,000 acres of land, or 14% of New York City. The department oversees more than 5,000 individual properties, including Central Park in...